Liquid-meter.



No. 635,036. Patented Oct. l7, I899.

- S. L. BROWN.

LIQUID METER.

(Application filed July 3, 1800.) No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheat WilmaSao/ruwLZ.Bmm1 1w m:- nomm mm: cc.. "mm. val-MGM. n. a

UNITED STATES PATENT Erica.

SAMUEL L. BROlVN, OF DEVEREAUX, GEORGIA.

LIQUID-METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,036, dated October17, 1899.

Application filed July 8, 1899. Serial No- 722,'706. (No model.)

T0 in whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Dev ereaux, in the county of Hancock and State of Georgia,have invented a new and useful Liquid-Meter, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in liquid meters especially,although not exclusively, adapted for use in connection with aliquor-distilling apparatus forindicating or registering the quantity ofliquor which may be discharged from the still.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and automaticstructure adapted to be inclosed Within a locked or sealed casing and tobe operative solely by gravity of the liquid which is supplied to themeter and delivered, subsequent to actuation of the register, therefrom.

A further object is to provide means which will afford protection to theregister-actuating mechanism against being tampered with by thrusting awire or implement through the liquid-delivery orifice of the apparatus.

With these ends in view the invention consists in the novel combinationof elements and in the construction and arrangement of parts, which willbe hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation through aliquid-meter embodying this invention on the plane indicated by thedotted line 1 1 of Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevationtaken transversely through the meter in a plane at right angles to Fig.l, the view being a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a planview of the casing with the cover removed, illustrating the arrangementof the detent and register mechanism with relation to the revolublebucket-carrier. Fig. it is a detail view looking at the reverse or underside of one of v the buckets to show the pressure-spring and the stopdevices therefor. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5 5 ofFig. 2 to show the check device which prevents the bucketcarrier fromturning in the wrong direction. The same numerals of reference are usedto indicate like and corresponding parts in each of the several figuresof the drawings.

In carrying the invention into practice the register mechanism and theactuating devices therefor are housed or contained wholly withinasuitable casing 10. Said casing may be of any suitable or preferredconstruction and it is equipped with a removable cover 11, which isrepresented by the drawings as being seated upon the casing to concealthe register mechanism and the bucket-carrier. The cover may be fastenedsecurely to the casing 10 by any suitable means to prevent any one fromgaining access to the register or its actuating mechanism, and it may behere remarked that this cover may be locked in place on the casing or itmay be sealed thereto in any way known to those skilled in the art. Thedrawings do not disclose a means for looking or sealing the cover to thecasing, because it is desired to avail the services of a skilledmechanic inproviding for the union of these parts together in anyapproved way.

The liquid is conveyed from a still to the meter for delivery into thebuckets of the revoluble carrier, which will be hereinafter described indetail; and to prevent the escape and loss of the liquid a tight box orreceptacle 12 is provided within the casing 1.0 below the removablecover ll thereof. This liquid-tight receptacle or box is disposed withinthe casing to leave a compartment 13 at one side thereof, saidcompartment adapted to contain the register and the devices which areassociated with the bucket-cz'rrrier shaft.

The register 1 L may be of any suitable construction known to the art,and, as shown by Fig. 2, it is disposed in the compartment 13 at oneside of the liquid-tight receptacle 12. The drawings illustrate one typeof registermechanism consisting of the arbors 15 16, connectedoperatively by an intermediate gear-train 17. These arbors carry ontheir upper ends pointers 18, adapted to traverse the dials 19 forindicating the quantity of liquid which passes through the meter, andthe prime register-shaft 15 has associated therewith a counter-shaftthat is geared to the bucket-carrier shaftfor propulsion intermittentlythereby.

The revoluble carrier of this invention is equipped with a series ofindependent buckets arranged to travel with said carrier in its rotarymovement and to be presented by said carrier successively to theliquid-discharge from the still. Said carrier has each bucket hungthereto in a peculiar manner for the purpose of utilizing the weight ofthe liquid contents of the bucket to automatically free the carrier fromrestraint of the detent device and to utilize the gravity of said liquidas the means for rotating said carrier with a step-by-step motion. Inthe embodiment of this revoluble carrier shown by the drawings it islocated within the compartment of the liquid-tight receptacle 12 fordischarging the liquid from the buckets into the compartment, from whichliquid flows without loss to a delivery pipe or spout. This revolublecarrier consists of a horizontal shaft 20, journaled in bearings 21 ofthe liquid-tight box 12, a pair of disks 22, and a plurality of radialarms 23, arranged in pairs to carry a series of buckets 2-12. The disks20 are made fast with the shaft in any approved way at proper distancesto accommodate the width of the buckets, and to these disks are firmlysecured the radial arms 23, said arms being arranged in correspondingpositions on the disks. In Fig. 1 of the drawings the revoluble carrieris shown as having live pairs of arms which accommodate a'like number ofbuckets 2 L; but the number of arms and buckets is not material. Eachbucket is constructed, preferably, of metal with a curved bottom, asshown more clearly by Fig. 1, and at one end this bucket is hung orpivoted, as at 25, to a pair of arms on the revoluble carrier. Eachbucket is actuated by a spring to hold the same in position for properlyreceiving the liquid from a feed-pipe, but the movement of the bucket isarrested by a positively-acting stop device to prevent the spring frompressing the bucket to an abnormal or inoperative position. Each bucketis shown as having one end of a leaf-spring 26 fastened securely theretoat 27, near the pivotal point of the bucket to its pair of arms, andthis spring is curved away from the curved bottom of said bucket, so asto have the free end of the spring bear against one of a series of pinsor studs 28, said studs being fixed to one of the carrierdisks 22 in amanner to travel with'the carrier and always maintain its properrelation to the buckets for the springs 26 to properly ride against saidstuds. Each bucket is equipped with stops 20, which are shown as securednear the end of said bucket, on opposite sides thereof, (see Fig. 4-,)and these stops are provided with angular fingers 30, arranged toproject from the sides of the bucket and to engage with the pair of arms.23 on which the bucket ishung. From this description, taken inconnection with Fig. 1, it will be seen that each pivoted bucket isnormally pressed in a direction away from the carrier-shaft 20 by aspring that is attached to the bucket and is seated on a part of therotary carrier, but the movement of the bucket under the action of thespringis limited or arrested by the angular stops engaging with the armsof the carrier, whereby the stops are adapted to be moved away from thecarrier-arms when the bucket is loaded with a sufficientquantity ofliquid to be depressed thereby against the tension of its spring 26.

To arrest the rotation of the carrier during the period of supplying theliquid to each bucket, a detent device is employed, which is supportedindependently of the carrier and is i disposed in the path of one of itsparts, but as each bucket becomes tilled wit-h the proper quan tityofliquid this detent ceases torestrain the carrier from movement, so thatthe weight of the contents in the bucket overbalances the carrier andcauses it to rotate on its axis for the purpose of discharging theliquid from the filled bucket and of presenting an empty bucket in thepath of the liquid discharged from the still. This detent is representedas consisting of a substantially horizontal arm 31, arranged within thecasing 10 to lie in the path of the pivoted buckets 21. At one end thisdetent is provided with a finger 32, adapted to be engaged by anadjustable device which controls the position of the detent withrelation to the pathof the buckets on the revoluble carrier. A bracketor other support 33 is secured to one wall of the liquid-tight box12,near the open upperend thereof, and in this bracket is pivoted at thedetent 31. A regulating-screw 35 is fitted to a threaded opening of thebracket 33 to be adjusted therein, said screw passing through an openingof the detent-finger 31, so as to act against the detent to raise orlower the same on its pivot, and thereby vary the position of the freeend of the detent with relation to the path of the buckets. This detentis held against free movement by means of a spring 36, which is attachedto the bracket or the box for its unconfined end to bear against thefinger of the detent, all as shown by Fig. 1.

The liquid is conveyed from the distilling apparatus to the meter by afeed or inlet pipe 37, represented as attached to the cover 11 of thecasing, said feed-pipe terminating in a discharge-mouth 58, whichoverhangs the revoluble carrier for discharging the liquid into thebuckets thereon. The liquid is discharged from the buckets to thecarrier into the tight box or receptacle 12, from whence the liquidflows into a delivery tube or spout 39, which is coupled to the lowerend of this box or re ceptacle, so as to extend therefrom through thecasing. The delivery-tube may be curved, as shown by Fig. 1, but theshape thereof is immaterial.

In a liquid-meter of this character it is desired to preventunwarrantable interference with the operating elements in order that theregister may indicate the exact quantity of liquid which is supplied toand discharged from the meter, and to prevent tampering with thebucket-carrier or the detent which controls the latter by a wire orother implement thrust through the delivery-tube 30 the guard-plates L0ll are provided below the revcounter-shaft 4-3 is employed.

oluble carrier. The guard plate -10 is secured to one wall of the box12, so as to extend below the carrier, while the other guardplate 41 issecured to the opposite wall of the boX and arranged for its free end toextend below and overlap the corresponding end of the guard plate 40.The free overlapping ends of the two guard-plates are spaced relativelyto each other to provide an exit-passage 42,which permits the liquiddischarged from the buckets to flow into the bottom of the receptaclel2, and thence to the deliverytube 39; but these guard-plates prevent animplement which may be thrust through the tube 39 from having access tothe revoluble bucket-carrier or the detent 31.

For transmitting the motion of the carriershaft 20 to the registermechanism a vertical Said counter shaft has a beveled gear at,thatintermeshes with a corresponding gear eta on an extended part of thebucket-shaft 20. The countershaft is also provided with a spur-gear 45,which meshes with asimilar gear on the prime register-shaft 15, and thusthe motion of the bucket-shaft is transmitted from the countershaft tothe register mechanism.

In connection with the revoluble bucketcarrier are combined means whichprevent the shaft 20 from rotating in a backward direction, said meansconsisting, preferably, of a ratchet 46, fixed to the shaft 20 andprovided with teeth 47, with which engages the free end of the springand pawl 48; but it will be understood thatthis specific check mechanismmay be varied within wide limits.

In operation the detent 81 engages with one of the buckets on therevoluble carrier to pre vent the latter from moving in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 and also maintain one bucket inposition below the mouth 38 of the feed-pipe 37, the check devicepreventing the bucket-carrier from turning in the opposite direction.The liquid is delivered from thestill by the inlet-pipe 37 until asufficient quantity shall have accumulated in the bucket 24E'to overcomethe pressure of the spring 26. At this period the bucket is depressed tomove the stop-arms 29 away from the carrier-arms and lower the free edgeof the pivotal bucket below the corresponding edge ofthedetent 31. Thebuckets are curved, as shown, and hung in the revoluble carrier in suchmanner that the detent will engage with the bucket and hold the carrierin position against rotation until the weight of the load of apredetermined volume of liquid will lower the bucket to free itself fromtheremoved by the carrier to assume a position below the mouth oftheiulet-pipe 37 and engage with the free end of the detent 31. Thisempty bucket is lifted by its spring 26 and restrained from assuming anabnormal position by its stops 29; but when the bucket becomes loadedwith a quantity of liquid the weight of the latter will depress thebucket against its spring, so asto clear the detent 31 and again turnthe carrier a certain distance. As the carrier turns the upper curvededge o'f'the bucket rides against the pivoted detent, so as to slightlylift the latter against the pressure of its spring 36; but as the filledbucket clears the detent the spring of the latter lowers its free endinto the path of the succeeding empty bucket,thereby again arresting themotion of the carrier. \Vhen the carrier is actuated, the counter-shaft4:3 is driven by the intermediate gearing to actuate the register, andsaid register mechanism will thus indicate the number of times thecarrier is operated, so as to make a true record of the quantity ofliquid which passes through the meter.

Changes may be made in the form and proportion of some of the parts,while their essential features are retained and the spirit of theinvention embodied. Hence it is not desired to be limited to the preciseform of all the parts as shown, reserving the right to vary therefrom.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Inaliquid-meter, the combination of an intermittently-revoluble carrier, aseries of buckets hung thereon, a spring acting against each bucket,means for arresting the movement of the bucket under the tension of itsspring, means for supplying liquid to the buckets as they are presentedsuccessively thereto, and a detent mechanism to restrain the carrier formovement during the period. of loading each bucket, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a liquid-meter, an intermittently-revoluble carrier, a series ofbuckets pivoted therein independently of each other, a spring actingindividually on each bucket to maintain the same normally in operativeposition for receiving its lead, and a stop device ongaging with eachbucket and a part of the carrier to limit the play of the bucket underthe tension of its spring, in combination with means for supplyingliquid to the buckets as they are presented successively thereto, and adetent mechanism,substantially as described.

In a liquidmeter, the combination of an intermittently-revolublecarrier, a series of buckets mounted. pivotally on the carrier and eachcontrolled by a stop device and a retractor, and an adjustable detentsupported in shiftable relation to the path of said buckets, for thepurpose described, substantially as set forth.

I. In a liquid-meter, the combination of an intermittently-revolublecarrier, a series of gravity-buckets each yieldably supported on thecarrier, a shiftable detent mounted to lie normally in the path of eachbucket as it is carried around with the Wheel, and means for adjustingthe detent relatively to the path of each bucket, whereby the period ofengagement between the detent and the bucket may be varied by shiftingthe position of the detent, substantially as described.

5. In a liquid-meter, the combination of an v intermittently-revolublecarrier, a series of buckets pivotally supported thereon, retractorsrevoluble with the carrier and acting against the buckets to normallyhold them in operative positions, means to limit the yieldable play ofthe buckets under the action of the retractors, and a detent in the pathof the buckets, substantially as described.

6. In a liquid-meter, the combination of a closed casing having meansfor supplying liquid thereto and conveying liquid therefrom, a registermechanism Within said casing, an actuating mechanism also Within thecasing and connected operatively with the register mechanism, and guarddevices between said mechanisms and the liquid-ports to preventunwarranted interference with the operation of the active elements ofthe meter, substantially as described.

7. In a liquid-meter, the combination of a closed casing, a registertherein, inlet and discharge pipes connected With the casing, abucket-carrier Within said casing in the path of the inlet thereto andconnected operatively with the register, a detent for said carrier, andguard-plates supported Within the casing below the carrier and detentdevice, said guard-plates arranged to provide a liquid exitpassage fromthe carrier to the discharge-port, substantially as described.

8. In a liquid-meter, a revoluble carrier consisting of a shaft, armsfast With said shaft, a series of buckets pivoted independently to saidarms, bearing studs fast with the carrier to rotate therewith, springsattached to the pivotal buckets and bearing against said studs, andstop-arms fixed to the buckets and engaging with the carrier-arms, incombination with a liquid-feed pipe, a register, and a detent mechanism,substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

SAMUEL Ii. BROIVN.

Witnesses:

R. H. THOMAS, C. II. DUDLEY.

